Ella Langley Honors Dolly Parton With “Jolene” Cover at Auburn Concert
Ella Langley turned her Auburn, Alabama, homecoming into a tribute to Dolly Parton, performing a powerful version of “Jolene” just days after the country icon’s death at 80.
During the first of Langley’s two Dandelion Tour concerts at Neville Arena on Aug. 28, the Alabama native paused her set to acknowledge the artist whose influence reaches across generations of country music.
“Tonight’s show didn’t feel right without doing something like this,” Langley told the crowd before beginning Parton’s 1974 classic. The song, one of Parton’s most enduring recordings, has received countless covers over the years and was receiving renewed attention following her death.
A Different Take on “Jolene”
Langley did not attempt to simply recreate Parton’s original. Instead, she and her band gave “Jolene” a heavier, rock-influenced treatment, bringing a more forceful energy to the familiar song while keeping the focus on Parton’s writing.
The performance came during a significant stretch of Langley’s own career. Her two-night Auburn engagement was part of her Dandelion Tour, with the singer scheduled to perform at Neville Arena on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29. ERNEST and Gabriella Rose joined her for the shows.
Langley’s decision to include “Jolene” was especially meaningful given the timing. Parton died on Aug. 25, 2026, at the age of 80, according to an announcement from her family. Her death prompted an immediate wave of tributes from musicians and fans around the world.
Langley’s Personal Tribute to Dolly
Before taking “Jolene” to the Neville Arena stage, Langley had already shared her thoughts about Parton following the singer’s death.
In a social media tribute, Langley thanked Parton for the example she set as an artist and as a woman working in the music industry. She highlighted Parton’s work as a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, author and creative force, while crediting her with helping make it possible for future generations of women to be more fearless in their careers.
Langley also praised Parton for remaining true to herself throughout her career.
She wrote that Parton had shown artists the importance of being unafraid to present their most authentic selves, adding that the world needed Dolly and would never see another artist quite like her.
Parton’s official announcement confirmed that she died peacefully in Nashville on Aug. 25. She was remembered as a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author whose career spanned seven decades.
A Wider Wave of Tributes
Langley’s performance was part of a much larger outpouring of remembrance for Parton across the music world.
John Mayer, Jack White and Kesha were among the artists who honored Parton onstage following her death, while actor Vin Diesel remembered her in a different way. Tributes have also come from numerous other performers and public figures as fans reflect on the reach of Parton’s music and her influence on generations of artists.
For Langley, however, the tribute carried an added sense of place. Auburn was hosting her two-night Dandelion Tour run, bringing the Alabama native back to a venue with a strong connection to her own story. On Aug. 28, she used that stage to make room for one of country music’s defining voices.
“Jolene” remains one of Parton’s signature songs, and its appearance in Langley’s set offered a fitting way to acknowledge the woman whose work helped shape the musical tradition she now carries forward.